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Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Danger

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

While this storm is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the national capital - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many landslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle worry and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Locals are being instructed to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also active for regions of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Path

This weather system is forecast to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

Although it is difficult to connect individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the atmosphere, aiding in the creation of storms.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.